413 Quotes by Samuel Butler

The truest characters of ignorance Are vanity, and pride, and annoyance.

The worst of rebels never arm To do their king or country harm, But draw their swords to do them good, As doctors cure by letting blood.

Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day.

Independence is essential for permanent but fatal to immediate success.

Every person's work, whether it be literature or music or pictures or architecture or anything else, is always a portrait of that person.

Oaths are but words, and words but wind.

The greatest pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself, too.

He has spent his life best who has enjoyed it most; God will take care that we do not enjoy it any more than is good for us.

Be virtuous and you will be vicious.